Techniques used at Rassel Chiropractic

Corrective Care Chiropractic – Corrective Care Chiropractic is a completely different approach to achieving and maintaining optimal health. A true Corrective Care Chiropractor will evaluate the Central Nervous System (CNS) and spinal function. The Chiropractic Corrective Care doctor evaluates the person for not only trauma and pathology but more importantly for function. Since our CNS controls every single one of our cells, tissues, and organs we need it to function as close to 100% as possible. When we see a patient for the first time at our clinic we always let them know there are two basic forms of chiropractic care. One being relief care, which is pain control, and the other is corrective care, which works on the underlying structural abnormalities (that are causing the pain) to make a more permanent change. It’s kind of like spinal orthodontics.

Although all Chiropractors are able to give relief care, the Corrective Care doctors and staff at our office will search for the true cause of any health condition and design a specific plan of action for each patient. The Corrective Care adjustment and alignment process, similar to what an Orthodontist does to teeth to correct their alignment, in time can often correct the spinal alignment. Thus stopping, or at least slowing down, the degenerative decay in the spine. This often requires several visits over a period of time. However, it will not require bracing the spine but instead giving very specific Chiropractic adjustments to slow down the degeneration at the spinal level and improve nerve function. Corrective Care Chiropractic can aid in building a healthy body and immune system by slowing down mechanical decay in the spine and helping the patient to function at an optimal level to maximize their overall health and quality of life.

Diversified – This is a widely used type of chiropractic adjustment that causes the popping sounds commonly associated with a chiropractic adjustment that is most familiar to patients. The diversified adjustment consists of a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust (a quick shallow thrust). It can be done by rotating some part of the body (the neck or spine for example) or by pushing or pressing on the body.

Toggle – This is a very powerful adjustment that needs specific x-ray analysis for proper delivery that is used only to adjust the upper cervical. The first cervical vertebra, which articulates above with the occipital bone (the head) and below with C2 the axis ( the second bone in the neck). At the level of C1 and C2 are nerve endings tracts for the lower body. So by adjusting the neck you not only stimulate the neck but also the lower body.

Drop Table – This adjustment uses a special table that assists in moving the spine by utilizing a headpiece that drops down slightly as the adjustment is applied to the spine. The chiropractor applies a quick thrust at the same time the table drops. The dropping of the table allows for a lighter adjustment without the twisting positions that can accompany the manual adjustment

Sacro-Occipital Technique (S.O.T.) – In this technique the patient is typically lying down on a table with triangular-shaped blocks placed under the pelvis. It’s often used to treat misalignment of the lower back and pelvis. Part of its value lies in allowing the muscles which have tightened as a result of the injury ample time to relax and reposition themselves correctly.

Chiropractic Bio-physics – The spine is designed to have some natural curves in it, but often these curves are lost entirely or become degraded. Losing some or all of the natural curves in the spine results in real difficulty in balance, posture and general comfort. This technique pays particular attention to overall body posture and combines specific chiropractic adjustments with consistent traction. This is how we get curves back!

Activator – This is a hand-held, spring-loaded instrument that delivers a light force into spinal joints to restore normal motion. Commonly used as a selective method for patients who may not desire manual adjustment like Diversified or who have a very delicate spine.

Flexion-Distraction – A specific chiropractic technique that uses mechanical and hands-on adjustments utilizing a special table where the spine is tractioned and flexed forward. This technique is primarily utilized to increase mobility of spinal joints and to treat lumbar disc herniations.

Extremity adjustments – This is the application of chiropractic adjustments to joints other than the spine, i.e., shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot. Extremity adjusting is commonly used in treating athletes, work injuries and ergonomic conditions.

QSM3 (Quantum Spinal Mechanics 3) – QSM3 (Quantum Spinal Mechanics 3) is at present the most progressive upper cervical chiropractic procedure. It was founded on the principles of traditional upper cervical procedures but with the vision to advance the corrective technical approach into the 21st Century. It is science-based, precise, and dedicated to the continued advancement of the works of Palmer, Grostic, and Gregory.

Its model to correct the degenerative effects of spinal misalignment is the future of our profession and the foundation of health.

GONSTEAD – Gonstead procedures are the result of extensive clinical research by Clarence S.Gonstead, founder of the world famous Gonstead Clinic of Chiropractic in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin and his associates. Doctor Gonstead’s fifty-five years of continuous practice and over four million chiropractic adjustments resulted in the most complete method of biomechanical analysis available for use by today’s doctors of chiropractic. So why don’t all chiropractors use this technique? Because the analysis takes more time and mastering the art of delivering a specific adjustment takes a LOT of practice and dedication.